Among the Churches in Korea by C. L. Butterfield

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1916

Among the Churches in Korea

By C. L. Butterfield

At Soo Chang Re, in the central division, I found the company growing both in numbers and in the knowledge of the truth. Ten had previously been baptized at this place, and on Sabbath I had the privilege of baptizing three others and of organizing a church of fourteen members. Others will be baptized soon, and unite with this church.

During the past year this company, although few in number, and having little of this world's goods, has built a neat church building. The meeting-room is 16 by 24 feet, and there are two small rooms, one for the missionary's use when he comes, and the other for the keeper of the building.

But little labor has been done in this place. Believers have sprung up as a result of a faithful colporteur's work. An aged sister about three years ago sold a few papers here, and through reading them an interest was aroused. The interested ones bought more literature, and today there is an organized church, with a church building, and a company paying a good tithe, besides offerings.

I next visited a tent meeting in the southern division of the field. Pastor Ne, with two native helpers, was in charge. The tent was pitched on a small grassy hill, where it could be seen from many miles each way. The attendance was good most of the time, but it is now too cool to use the tent at night, so it was taken down the day I left.

About fifteen have promised to obey the truth as the result of this meeting. Three have already been baptized, and others will be soon. No suitable place of worship being obtainable in this locality, they are now building a small church. As the new believers have no money with which to assist in erecting this building, the mission is paying for it. The whole expense is about $30.

I next went fifty miles farther south, where a native worker began work about four months ago. In this place ten have already taken their stand for the truth, and we hope they will prove faithful. These persons are all in fairly good circumstances, and no doubt will later be able to provide their own place of worship.

As we see the readiness with which the people respond to the truth, and the great numbers unwarned, we cannot but cry to the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers. There is county after county and village after village which never has heard the message of a soon-coming Saviour.* Let us labor while the day lasts, for soon the night cometh when no man can work.

C. L. BUTTERFIELD.